PUNE: 3D printing may have revolutionized the world of manufacturing, design and prototyping, but it is now gaining popularity among hobbyists experimenting at home. Students, young professionals, and even small business owners are now using basic 3D printers for fun DIY projects. Resident Kevin Lee used a 3D printer to make household items and gifts for friends. “I made phone stands, vases, keychains, bookmarks, some hooks and stands for electronic items,” he said. “The challenge is that even small problems such as moisture in the filament, the print bed not being completely clean, or even a bit of dirt in the machine can cause the print to be completely wrong. ” he added. Home printers are also available. Prices range from Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000. Manufacturers say demand for these has increased by 30-40% over the past year. “We are also seeing high demand for 3D printers on online platforms. “We have set up 10-12 experience centers across India to help people understand the products before buying them,” says the Mumbai-based company. said Rahul Chandaria, co-founder of WOL3D, a company that sells 3D printers. Many schools and universities have also started purchasing 3D. Printer for students to learn software and print models as part of robotics training. “I have been working on the design of the drone body for the last year. Once it is ready, we will proceed with printing,” said a student from a school in the city. Ahmednagar-based electronics engineering graduate Abhijeet Vaidya has created a number of customized gift products using a 3D printer. His designs include miniature feathers and miniature license plates. “I'm an engineer, so I can easily manage both the design and maintenance of the printer, but I do need some technical knowledge to open up and repair the machine if something goes wrong,” he said. Ta. Online training courses and videos also help hobbyists learn the software and understand some technical aspects needed to perfect the printing process. “There are many CAD systems available for free online. I started with the simplest system called tinkercad and then moved on to Schaper 3D. Video courses have been a big part of my learning process, but… A fair amount of self-study and a keen understanding of how design works at the digital level and affects the output when converted to physical form also helped,” says Anirudh, based in Mumbai. Asher said.